E53 X5 - No Key Unlock, No Center Unlock, No Gas Door Unlock

JackXFunf · #1 11-03-2024, 04:14 PM

Hello everyone,

Having a problem with my 2003 BMW X5 4.4i.

Somethings going on with the locking system where neither the key fob locks / unlocks the car and also the centerlock button near the hazard switch also doesn't lock / unlock the car. Can't even get the gas door to unlock.

Both happened at the same time.

Keyhole on door is currently broken, need new lock cylinder kit (not a problem I can fix it eventually) so I have to leave the car unlocked for now.

Just wondering if any of you know where I should look to fix this problem.

I know in the past when I had the door card off to fix the drivers door handle and had the window / mirror switches disconnected that it seemed to prevent the locking system from working if I remember correctly. (currently window switches still work)

Also read about the GM module behind the glove box, door actuator and the center unlock button next to the hazards aswell.

Just seeing if anyone had an identical problem before

getty150 · #2 11-03-2024, 04:46 PM

Interesting...I just ran into an X3 (05) in the boneyard last week. Only the driver door opens. And yes even the gas door locked. Can't believe this is my first encounter with this problem situation.
After crawling in and opening the boot at the secret latch with a screw 🪛 I found a year old battery under the trap door. Thinking because the battery was connected the solution would be to disconnect...not so.
During my short time there I never got any of the doors open. It appears I must have the key or be able to remove the door cards/panels. I was told to go ahead and break out the windows... couldn't bring myself to "go gorilla" plus nothing in there worth it to me. But I'm sure someone will.

Additional info.
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JackXFunf · #3 11-03-2024, 04:55 PM

Haha, "go gorilla" lol. I had to have a lock smith bag open the door and pull the door handle with a rod. Because all of this began in a parking lot. I was thinking about going gorilla and smashing one of the windows myself just to get in, reckoning it would be cheaper for me just to buy a new window at the yard, but ended up using the locksmith. I'll have to pull the battery cable off later and see if that changes anything

andrewwynn · #4 11-03-2024, 10:42 PM

Double locked is suck you need power to central lock to undo that.

The central lock button not working is not uncommon. It can be cleaned. I spilled a sprite into mine once and took it out and cleaned it with no tools other than tiny pry tool

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JackXFunf · #5 11-05-2024, 02:11 AM

Pulled the central unlock button earlier, looks clean, opened it up and checked the microchip, didn't see any corrosion or anything. The hazard portion of the switch still works fine. Also pulled the window switch module off the drivers door and also looked good, although I had opened the button portion upside down and and all the little plastic tab things fell out and scattered, no idea how to put them back correctly lol. Just gonna get a new one of those at the salvage yard and probably will pick up a GM module too. Probably get a central lock switch too. Will update in a day or two if it fixed the problem

andrewwynn · #6 11-05-2024, 07:18 AM

Interesting and lucky the locksmith could get in with a rod. How'd you lock the door? With fob should have double locked and disabled the inner door handle. The reason typically can't get in passenger doors at a junk yard.

JackXFunf · #7 11-05-2024, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

Interesting and lucky the locksmith could get in with a rod. How'd you lock the door? With fob should have double locked and disabled the inner door handle. The reason typically can't get in passenger doors at a junk yard.

I'm not sure exactly but he did bag the door open with a couple hand pumps. I was watching him for a couple minutes but decided to go sit down and was on my phone. Beforehand I had went to harbor freight and bought a bag pump myself and was researching the best way to do it but then I read that you have to hold the centerlock button down while simutaneously pulling the handle which discouraged me because there was no way I would have been able to do it with the wire clothes hangers I brought with me lol. Forgot to ask him but I was wondering how he did it too now that i've found out the center lock button doesn't work. All before this the door just locked as usual with the key fob, went into a store and came out and then I was locked out with this problem

X5chemist · #8 11-05-2024, 08:12 AM

After having issues with mine after purchase, I recommend everyone have a GMIII clone on standby. Ever since installing and coding a used GMIII, everything works!

JackXFunf · #9 11-05-2024, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X5chemist

After having issues with mine after purchase, I recommend everyone have a GMIII clone on standby. Ever since installing and coding a used GMIII, everything works!

Awesome good to know! Does the GMIII need to be coded? How is that done? Probably gonna go to the yard in a few hours and try to get one.

andrewwynn · #10 11-05-2024, 04:32 PM

It's possible the key fob worked once to undo the double lock.

If the central lock button not working very likely a broken window and climbing in to take apart the central lock button or use obd port and scan tool.

I figured out exactly where to poke a door lock actuator to undo the double lock in the case of broken motor but I'd first try to over voltage the correct pins.